Automatic gear shifting mechanism



Feb. 22, 1938. E. G. HILL ET AL 2,109,443

AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFTING MECHNISM Filed Junev 2e, 1934 sheets-sheet 1 Feb. 22, 1938. E. G. HILL ET Al. 2,109,443

AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFTING MECHANSM l Filed June 28, 1934 v 5 Sheets-Sheet I2l nf/////////////// A www;

Feb. 22, 1938. E. G. HILL. ET AVL AAUTOMATIK) GEAR SHIFTNG MECHANISM Filed `June '28, 1954 3` Sheets-Sheet 3v Patented Feb. 22, 1.938

UNITED STATESA PATENT ori-'ICE' lips, Washington, D. C.

, assignors to Hill Enl gineerin'g Corporation, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Virginia Application June 28, 1934, Serial No. 732,946

12 Claims. (Cl. 192-3.5)

This invention relates tov automatic gear shifting mechanisms and more particularlyto means for shifting the gears of a motor vehicle automatically upon the releasing of the accelerator of the motor vehicle engine. i

A number of devices have been developed for the purpose of shifting the gears of a motor vehicle without the necessity of the'driver having to move the gear shift lever, such devices usually being operated by uid pressure means. The majority of such devices, however, are open to the objection that they vrequire manual actuation of suitable control means for effecting each gear shifting operation. A

An important object of the present invention ist to provide means for automatically shifting the gears of a motor vehicle without the use of any control means which must-be actuated by the operator of the vehicle whereby gear shifting is accomplished merely through the releasing of 'the accelerator pedal.

A further object is to provide automatic gear shifting apparatus which changes the gear set between high andintermediate .gea upon the freleasing of the accelerator pedal, thus rendering it unnecessary for the operator to manually move the gear shift lever.

A further object is to provide lfluid* pressure operated gear shift means together with control valve mechanism for such means operativeupon each releasing of the accelerator pedal, under certain conditions, for shifting the gear set between high and intermediate gears.

A further object is to provide a power device connected to the vehicle clutch and controlled by the accelerator for releasing the clutch at each f releasing of the accelerator pedal, and to provide means operative upon each actuation of the power device for shifting` the vehicle gears.

A further object is to provide a fluid pressure cylinder having a piston therein connected to the vehicle gear shift lever and having control valve mechanism for alternately connecting opposite ends of the cylinder to a source of differentiah pressure, and to provide means operative upon the releasing of the\ accelerator pedal for releasing the clutch and for operating the valve mecha. nism to effect the shifting of the gears.

A further object is to provide automatic control means for` a gear shifting device of the character referred to Wher'einautomatic shifting from intermcdiate to high gear takes place upon the rleasing of the accelerator pedal regardless of the speed of the motor or vehicle and wherein automatic shifting from high to second gear is preand',

vented from taking place upon the releasing of the accelerator pedal except when the'vehlcle speed drops to a predetermined point. whereby the engine may be employed as a brake by releasing the accelerator pedal during normal high gear driving.

A further object is to provide novel means for rendering the automatic gear shifting means inoperative and for maintaining it in inoperative condition to permit the manual movement of the gear shift lever to low and reverse gears when the apparatus is employed in connection with conventional gear` shifting mechanisms.

Other objects and advantages of the invention Will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In thedrawings we have shown one embodiment of the invention. In this-showing:

Figure l is a structural diagrammatic representation of the entire mechanism shown associated with portions of the motor vehicle, Y Y

Figure 2 is a section on line 2'-2 of"Figure 1,

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the gear shift control valve and associated parts, e

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of a clutch control valve mechanism, parts vbeing broken away,

substantially on line 6-6 of Figure 1,

Figure '7- is a central vertical sectional vlew` through the gear shift control valve mechanism taken on line 1 1 of Figure 3,

Figure 8 is a central sectional view through the control valve mechanism taken on line Figure 3, A

Figure 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Figure 7,

Figure 10 `is a similar -viw on line Ill- I0 of Figure 7.

Referring to Figure 1, the numeral Il! indicatesy the vertical conduit of the intake manifold I I of a motor vehicle engine (not shown) and a throttle valve l 2,is mounted in the conduit I0 and secured to a throttle shaft I3. The throttle shaft/isl operated by an arm I4 connected to an accelerator rod I5 operated by the usual accelerator pedal (not shown).

VThe vehicle further includes a conventional clutch (not shown) having an operating shaft I1 on which is freely mountedra conventional clutch pedal I8. The' engine transmits power through the usual transmission indicated as a whole by-the numeral I9 and the gears of the transmission are controlledby the usual gear shift lever 2U.' The gear shift lever is universally supported in a vertical extension 2I forming a part of the transmission housing. Spring contacts 22 and 23 are carried respectively by the gear shift lever 2B and by an insulating block 22 secured to the extension 2i of the gear set housing. A binding post 23 is connected to the contact 23. The contacts 22 and 23 are below the universal supporting means for the gear shift lever and accordingly are open when the gear shift lever is at the intermediate and high gear side, at which time the lower end of the gear shift lever will be moved to the left as viewed in Figure`6. The contacts 22 and 23 are in engagement when the gear shift lever is arranged at the low and reverse gear side, for a purpose to be described.

The clutch shaft I is provided with an arm 2d rigidly connected thereto. A lug 215 is formed integral'with the pedal I8 and is engageable with the arm 24 to disengage the clutch `when the pedal I8 is depressed by the foot of the operator. In accordance with the present invention, the

,clutch is adapted to be disengaged automatically and for this purpose a power device 26 is provided. This device may be of any desired type and in the present instance is illustrated as comprising a pair of casing sections 2l having a diaphragm 28 clamped between the edge portions thereof and operable by dierential pressure. A rod 2Sis connected at oneend to the diaphragm 26 and a cable.,or any other suitable means 33 connects the free end of the rod 29 to the upper end of the arm- 2d'.

Suitable control valve mechanism is employed for controlling-the operation of the `power device 26. Such a control valve mechanism has been designated as a whole by. the numeral 3! 'and is preferably of the type disclosed in the prior patent of Edward G. Hill.- No. 1,964,693, granted June 26, 1934, and copending application Serial No. 709,650, led February 3, 1934. It will become apparent thatthe automatic gear shifting mechanism to be described is not dey pendent uponthe use of any particular form of control valvemechanism for -the power device 26, fbut 'it is preferred that the valve mechanism of the typereferred to be employed because of its smoothness nd accuracy of operation. With such a device the source of power employed is the vacuum present in the intake manifold, and the valve is provided with a vacuum pipe 32 con- Vnected 'through a T '33 to a pipe 34 and this pipe is vconnected to the intake manifold as at Since the specictype of control valve 3|v is notl important, such mechanism has not been' illustrated in detail except so far asnecessary to Aan understanding of the present invention. Referring `to Figure 4, the numerals 36 and designate main control valves which control com-f munication between4 the power device and the inf4 take manifold; these valves being operative for controlling communication between the pipe 32 and a pipe 3l leading from the valve mechanism to thepower device, as shown in Figure 1.,- The pipe 32'is connected to a e 39 leading to the interior of the'valve mechaism Il, and this 4passage is adapted to be' controlled by a valve 40.

A solenoid 4I is adapted to be energizedto open the'lvalvc 4l and to be deenergized to permit it to drop to closed position. The wires for controlling the solenoid 4I are arranged in a suitable cable d2.

Movement is transmitted to the valve l31 by a stem 43 carrying a'head 44 at'its upper end, as shown in Figure 1. A spring 45 urges the stem 43 upwardly to maintain the head 44 in engagement with a cam 46 carried by the throttle shaft I3. The operation of this cam is fully disclosed in copending application Serial No. 704,563, referred to above. -It will be apparent that when the throttle is closed as shown in Figure 1 the stem 43 and valve 3l are depressed to open communication between the power device 26 and the intake manifold, and when the throttle valve is substantially open, the stem 43 is released for upward movement to disconnect the power device 26 from the intake manifold. v

The four. positions oi` the gear shift lever of a conventional transmission are well known, the gear shift lever being arranged toward the right for second and high gears and toward the left for low and reverse gears. In the normal` operation of the present invention, the gear shift lever is moved automatically back and forth between second and high gear positions, and accordingly the gear shift lever is normally biasedtoward the right so-that the shifting means need operate only to move the gear shift lever forwardly and rearwardly to shift between second and high gears.

Referring to Figure 6, the numeral 4l designates va stud carried by the gear shift lever 2G beneath its point of universal mounting within the vertical extension 2i of' the transmission housing. A light coil, spring 48 has one end arranged over the stud 4l and the other end of this spring is arranged in a recess 49 formed in a screw plug 50 threaded in the side of the extension 2i. Accordingly it will Vbe apparentA that the spring 48 tends to urge the lower end of thel gear shift lever 20 toward the left, and thus urges the upper end of the/l gear shift lever toward the right, that is, toward the intermediate and high gear. side. tension and does notinterfere with the manual movement of the gear shift lever to low and reverse gear positions.

Referring to Figure 1 the numeral 5i desig- As stated, the spring 48 is of slightv 'nates a power device operative for shifting the lever 20. As shown, this power'devlce comprises a cylinder 52 having heads 53 and 54, and a piston rod 55 is slidable through the head Ci. 'A piston 56 is connected to the piston rod 65 and is reciprocable in the cylinder 52. While ther power device EI has been illustrated as being of the cylin` der and piston type, it will be apparent that any suitable power device may be employed. A yoke 51 is secured to the gear shift lever preferably close to the floor boards of the vehicle body and the rear end of the piston rod 55 is connected to the yoke 51 as at 88. This connection is prefer-V mechanism B9 is provided with avacuum connec-y tion Il, and vacuum linesl and 6 2 communicate with`opposite ends of the cylinder' 52 in a mannerto be described. The vacuumconnection G0 may lead to a checkvalve indicated as a wholeby the The check valve comprises a hollow body 64divided at one end by a partition 65 having a valve seat 66 formed therein. The pipe 80- communicates with one end of the valve body 64 and is connected thereto by a suitable union 61. A pipe 68-is connected to the other end of the valve body 64 by a union 69, and the other end of the pipe 68 is,connected to the pipe 38 by a T 10.

A poppet valve 1| is engageable with the valve seat 66, as shown in Figure 2. This valve is carried by a'stem 12 slidable in a guide 13 formed within the valve body 64. A spring 14 urges the valve 1| to closed position. Upon the creation of a partial vacuum in the pipe 68, the valve 1| will.

be unseated to connect the vacuum to the valve mechanism 59, and upon an increase in pressure in the pipe 68, the valve 'H closes. As will become apparent, the purpose of the check valve device just` described is to insure disengagement of the clutch prior to the shifting of the gears, as will become apparent.

The valve mechanism 59 includes a body15 having a cylindrical valve recess 16 therein, and the valve body is'closed by a cover plate 11. A valve shaft 18 is journaled in the valve body and valve cover as shown in Figures 7 and 8. A valve 19 is rotatable in the recess 16 and is keyed to the valve shaft as at 80. The valve 19 is provided in opposite faces with annular ports 8| and 82 respectively. The port 82 communicates with an annular port 83 formed inthe valve body and the port 83 communicates with the atmosphere through a radial port 84, as shown in Figure 8. A strainer 85 of any suitable type may be connected to the port 84 to prevent the entrance of foreign mate-- rial into the valve body 59. At diametrically opposite points, the edge portion of the valve 19 is provided with radial po'rts 86 and 81 communicating with the annular port 82 for a purpose to'be described.

The valve body 59 is providedwith a pair of transverse ports 88 and 89. These ports are iden'- tical with each other and are preferably arranged ninety degrees apart as shown in Figure 9. Each of the ports 88 and 89 vcommunicates with the valve recess 16 and extends across the outer face of the valve. Radial ports 90and 9| are formed in the valve 19 at diametrically opposite points, and communicate at their inner ends with the annular port 8 I. vThe pipe j I communicates with the port 89 of the valve body and is secured to the cover plate 11 by a union 92. The pipe 62 -is connected to the cover plate 11 by a union 93 Aand communicates with the port 88 formedin the valve body. The vacuum connection 60 also yis connected to the cover plate 11 by a union 94 and communicates with the annular passage 8| as i shown in Figure 8.

'ity to the clutchl operating rod bracket 95 is secured to a hub portion 96, formed 'I'he valve mechanism just describedis operative automatically upon each 'actuation of the clutch operating power' device 2|i,y and accordingly the valve mechanism 59 is supported ,in proxim- 29. A suitable with four notches |0| in its periphery, arranged ninety degrees apart, as shown in Figure 3. A detent |02 is engageable in the successivenotches |0| to hold the shaft 18 and valve 19 in successive positions, as will become apparent. 'I'he upper end of the detent |02'projects into a small cylinder |03 formed integral with the valve housing 15. A screw plug |04 is threaded in the upperend of the cylinder |03 and a compression spring |05 is arranged in the cylinder |03 and operates between the plug |04 and the upper end of the detent |02 to urge the latter downwardly.

The hub 98 is provided with four integral radial spokes |06 and to each of these spokes a nge'r |01 is pivotally connected as at |08. Coacting shoulders |09 limit the swinging movement of the lingers |01 outwardly from the valve casing 15. A leaf spring ||0 is connected to each spoke |06 as at and tends to urge the corresponding nger |04 outwardly.

A solenoid I |2 is secured against the bottom ofthe valve housing 15 and is provided with an armature |I3. This armature is rigidly connected to a' substantially rectangular frame I| 4 and the fingers |01- are adapted to revolve within the frame ||4 out of contact therewithexcept when the automatic gear shifting device is-locked out cf operation or when the gear shift lever is operative in a manner to be described.

The vacuum pipes 6| and 62 lead to a valve housing ||5, shown in detail in Figure 5-of the drawings. This valve housing is preferably cylindrical and a valve IIS is reciprocable therein. Ports ||1 andvl |8 extend through the valve ||6 and communicate respectively with the pipes 6I and 62 when the valve ||6 is in the normal position shown in Figure 5.' A pipe I9 communicates at one end with lthe rear end of the cylinder 52, and at its other end this pipe ||8 is con'- nected to the valve casing H5 in normal lcommunication with the port ||1. `A similar pipe |20 is connected at one end to the forward end of the cylinder 52, and at its other end, to the valve casing 5, in communication with 'the port II8 A solenoid |2| is'mounted at the upper end of the valve housing||5 and has an armature gitudinal port |23 and when the solenoid |2| is energized, the valve 6 is moved' upwardly whereby the port |23 communicates with both of the pipes I| 9 and |20 and with an atmospheric f port |24 extending through the valve casing I5. l When the valve I I6'is arranged in such upper or inoperative position, lthe .solid lower end ,of this valve opposite th port |23 closes the ports leading to the pipes 6| and 62. Under such conditions, it will be apparent that both ends of the cylinder 52 will communicate with the atmospher'e through pipes ||9 and |20 and ports |23.

and |24, whereby the gear shift lever 20 may be operated manually. f x

-As previously stated, each actuation of the lpower device 26 is adapted to operate the gear shifting valve mechanism 59. 'Referring to Figure 3, the numeral |25 designates a stud carried by the rod 29 and pivotally supporting an upstanding ilnger |26, as atIIZ'I. A` leaf spring |28 is secured at one end to the stud |25 as at |29, andthe othr-.eridof the spring engages theflnger |26 to tend to swing it aboutits pivot in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure, 3.l A'

stop member Isn, carried by the stud |25,"1imit s the turning movement of the finger |26. It will be apparent that the finger |26 is free to swing downwardly toward the left as viewed in Figure 3, but is fixed lagainst turning movement toward the right. Movement of the rod 29 upon actuation of the power device 26 causes the nger |26 to engage one of the ilngers |01 to rotate the valve shaft 18 through ninety degrees, and when the power device 26 is released for clutch reengagement, the iinger |26 swings downwardly to escape over the next ngerl 61.

An electrical system for use in connection with the apparatus is disclosed in Figure l. 'Ihe numeral |3i designates the battery of the vehicle or other source of current, and this battery has one terminal connected to one Aterminal of the solenoid |2i by .the wire |32. The other terminal of the battery is grounded as at |33. The other terminal of the solenoid is connected to one end of a wire |34 and this wire forms a part of several parallel circuits operative for energizing the solenoid |2i for different purposes. A wire |35 is connected between the wire |34 and a button |36 on the gear shift lever, and such lever is indicated as being grounded at |31. This circuit forms one of the parallel circuits referred to and depression of the button |36 energlzes the solenoid |2| to lift the valve H6, thereby connecting both ends of the cylinder 52 tothe atmosphere whereupon the operator may manually move the gear shift lever to either low or reverse positions. One end of the wire |38 is connected to the wire |3 and leads to one terminal of the .sole-g noiol i i2. 'I'he other terminal of this solenoid is `connected by a Wire |39 to the binding post 23 carried by the gearset casing.v When the contacts 22 and 23 are in engagement with each other, the circuit through the solenoid ||2 is completed through the ground |31 whereupon the solenoid ||2 causes the frame ||4 to retract the fingers |01. This operation removes the fingers |01 from the path of-travel -of the d rger |26 to prevent actuation of the clutch opera ing device from operating the valve mechanism 59. To permit complete manual operation of the gear shift. lever 20, the circuit through the solenoidv |2| and wires I 34 and |38 may be grounded as at |40 by a manually operable switch itil.

The vehicle -is provided with the usual speedometer indicated as a' whole by the numeral |42 and a brush |43 is movable in conjunction with "the indicating itlnger (not shown) ofthe speed` ometer. 'I'his brush is engageable with a contact |44 when the vehicle is traveling between -zero speed and a predetermined vehicle speed,

for example, 8 miles per hour. The cable 42 associated with the solenoid", houses two wires |45 and |46, the latter of which is grounded as A snap-over switch arm |52 is movable alternately into engagement with theicontacts |48 and |49 and a spring |53 moves past the pivot point of the switch |52 at each actuation thereof to hold the switch in` either of its two positions.

A collar |54 is carried by the shaft 55 and is vprovided with fingers |561 and ||i1l engageable withthe switch arm |52 tomove it between its two positions. The low and Areverse gear shift rod of the gear set is indicated by the numeral |58 and this rod is notched as at |59. This notch normally receives the lower end of a vertically sliding pin |60. A pair of switches |6| and |62 is arranged above the pin |60 and these switches are suitably insulated from each other. iWhenever the vehicle is placed in low or reverse gear, the pin |60 will be moved upwardly out of the notch |59 and moves the free end of the switch |6| into engagement with the switch |62.I The switch |6i is connected by a wire |63 to a wire |64. andthe latter wire extends between the wire |32 and.v the snap-over switch |52. It will be apparent that the wire |63 can be directly connected to the same terminal of the battery as the wire |32, or it may be connected to the switch |52. The switches |6| and |62, however, are not dependent for their functioning on'the switch |52, as will become apparent. A wire |65 is connected at one end t'o the switch |62 and at its other end to the wire |56, although it may be connected in' the Wire |45. In other words, thev wire |65 is in series with the solenoid (Si. i

While not at all essential to the operation of the present invention, means maybe provided to permit the vehicle under' all conditions to free wheel when the accelerator is released. For this purpose a switch |66 is engageable with a contact |61, the switch being connectedto the wire |39 by a wire |66 while the contact |61 is connected by a wire |66 to the wire E65.l

It is desirable to provide means for energizing the solenoid 2 independently of the gear set switch with which it is connected in sries and accordingly the wire |63 is connected to the wire |36 as at |16. A wire |1i leads from the wire |39 to a' switch |12. This switch is normally open and is engageable .with a contact |13 grounded as at i113.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: Practically every present day motor vehicle is adapted to start in second gear and this practice is followed generally by a large proportion of motor vehicle drivers. Indnormal operation,l

the present apparatus is adapted to shift back and forth between second and high gear positions, and these operations are accomplished automatically merely by releasing the accelerator pedal. The operation of the gear shifting device 5| is, of course, dependent upon the valve ||6. being in the operative position shown in Figures 1 and 5, that is, with the solenoid |2| deenergized. I n Figure'l the gear`shift lever has been illustrated as being in high gear posi-` tion with the piston 56 of the gear shifting device and the snap-over switch`|52in corresponding positions.

Assuming that the vehicle is under *normal headway, under such conditions, 'and traveling' at a speed above 8 miles per hour, the brush |43 will occupy a position outof engagement with the'contact J 44, such as the position shown in Figure 1. 'I 'he severalcircuits to the solenoid 4| of the valve mechanism 3| will be broken,

assuming that the free wheeling switch |66 is open, and accordingly no ,operation of the various parts can take place. In this connection it will be noted that the circuit through contact |48 will beibroken since the 4switch |52`will be in engagement with the contact '|49,gandthe circuit through the latter contact 'will be broken at the speedometer switch |48. Since the functioning of the gear shifting power device 5| is dependent upon a partial vacuum in the pipe 3,8, it will be apparent that the gear shifting the atmospheric port 86 will l so anism 3| cannot connect the pipe 38 to the intake,- manifold as long as the solenoid 4| is deener-v gized and the valve 40 is closed (see Figure 4) From the foregoing it will be apparent thatwhen the vehicle is traveling in high gear above the predetermined speed at which the speedometer switch |43 is closed, the accelerator may be released and the engine employed as a brake without'affecting the clutch or gear shifting mechanisms. Assuming that the `vehicle speed drops vto the point at which the speedometer switch |43 will be closed, for example, at approximately 8 miles per hour, the solenoid 4| will become energized through wires |32, |64, switch |52 and Contact |49, wire |5| and the speedometer switch, through wire |45 and the solenoid 4|, and thence back to the source of current through wire |46 and grounds |41 and |33. This operation will not affect the clutch or gear shifting mechanism, however, unless the accelerator pedal is completely released, since after the solenoid valve 40 is thus opened, the actuation of the power device 26 is dependent upon the actuation of the valve stem 43 by the throttle cam 46.r

When the vehicle speed drops to the predetermined point referred to and the operator then releases the accelerator pedal, the valve mechanism 3| will operate in accordance with the disclosure in the copending application Serial No. 704,563, previously referred to, and a partial vacuum will be established in the power device 26 to disengage the clutch. Under the conditions being considered, the gear shift lever is in high gear position, under which conditions the valve mechanism 59 will be in the condition illustrated in Figures 7, 8 and 9, the annular vacuum port 8| communicating with the pipe 6| leading to the rear end of the cylinder 52. At the same time, the annular air port 82 will be in communication with the pipe 62, as shown 'in Figure 8, leading to the forward end of the cylinder 52. 'Ihe actuation of the power device 26 pulls the rod 29 forwardly to disengage the clutch, and this movement carries the finger |26 forwardly into engagement with one of the valve operating ngers |01. When the clutch reaches fully disengaged position, the finger |26 wi1l occupy the dotted line position shown in Figure 3 at which time the positions of the valves in the valve mechanism 59 will be reversed, the port 9| moving into registration with the port 88 while move into registration with the port 89. Under such conditions, the rear end of the cylinder 52 is ready to be connected'to the atmosphere and the forward end of the cylinder is ready to be connected to the source of partial vacuum.

It will be apparent that the initial rearward movement of the diaphragm 28 fas clutch 'disengagement starts, takes place with the valve mechanism in the position rst described and it is necessary to prevent actuation of the piston 56 until the clutch has been fully disengaged.

This condition is taken care of by the valve.

mechanism 59. It will be apparent that there can` be no change in therelationship o the ports of the valve. mechanism 59 until the clutch has been substantially fully disengaged since it is necessary for the actuating nger |26 to move forwardly substantially' to the dotted line posi- `tion shown in ,Figure 3 before the change in the -relationship of the ports of the valve mechanism 59 can take place. As the finger |26 moves rear- 5 wardly from the position shown in Figure 3 to the position where it engages the nearest finger |01, vacuum will be maintained in the rear end ,of `the cylinder 52 to hold the gear shift lever in high gear position. Further forwardv movement ofthe nger |26 then starts to rotate the gvalvej'lS and initial rotation of this valve disconnects the ports 86 and 90 from the ports 88 and 89. Accordingly both ends of the cylinder Y 52 will be disconnected from the atmosphere and from thesource of vacuum until the valve`19 has vbeen rotated through ninety degrees at which time the clutch will be ,fully disengaged and gear shifting is readyto take place.

To further insure against the shifting of the 'I gears prior to the disengagement of the clutch, the check valve device 63 is provided. 'Ihe valve 7| opens only upon the building up of asubstantial differential pressure on opposite sides thereof, and such pressure is not reached until the Aclutch is substantially disengaged. During operation of the power device .26, therefore, the valve remains closeduntil the clutch is fully disengaged, whereupon vacuum is communicated between the pipes and 68.

The initial turning movement of the fingers |01 raises the detent |02 out of the notch with which it has been in engagement, and when the disk |00 has rotated through ninety degrees together with the valve 19, the detent |02, will drop into the next notch 0| to latch the valve 19 in its next position. As stated, this action occurs when the clutch has been fully disengaged, and

under such conditions, vthe port 86 will move into registration with the port 89'whi1e the port 9| will move into registration with the port 88, whereupon the rear end of the cylinder 52 will `be connected to the atmosphere andthe forward end of the cylinder will be connected to the intake manifold through pipes |20 and 62, ports 88, 9| and 8|, and thence by means of pipe 60 which is connected to the conduit 38. With the clutch thus held in disengaged position, the

differential pressure on opposite sides of the piston 56 moves this piston forwardly, thus moving the gear shift lever 20 into intermediate gear position. vited to the fact that the spring 48 (see Figure 6) .normally biases the gear shift lever 20 toward the right, and in the absence of any 'manual control of the gear shift lever 20, the latter is aiways inposition to be moved back and forth between second and high gear positions.

In this connection, attention is in- When the piston 56 moves forwardly to move the gear shift lever 20 to intermediate gear po ment of a circuit'through wire |50 in parallel tothe wire 5| through which the 'solenoid 4| has been previously energized, and the partial circuit referred to shunts around the speedometer switch |43. Thus this switch is rendered vineiective for controlling the solenoid 4| and the latter remains energized as long as the vehicle" is in second gear. As a result of this operation it will become apparent that any releasing of the accelerator pedal when the vehicleV is in intermediategear will effect declutching regardless of vehicle speed since the -solenoid valve 40 will remain open to permit actuation -of the clutch regardless of vehicle port 88.

power device to be controlled entirely by the operation of the accelerator through the control valves 36 and 31. ,f f f/ From the foregoing/iit/Vwill be apparent that with the vehicle traveling in high gear and the accelerator released, automatic declutching will be effected/when the vehicle speed drops below a predetermined point, for exampleat 8 miles per hour, and the gear shift lever will be automatically moved to second gear position. If the operator then depresses the accelerator, regardless of whether the vehicle cornes to a complete stop, the gear shift lever will be in second gear position, and the control valve mechanism will release the power device 26 to permit reengagement of the clutch. This operation takes place in accordance with the operationof the particular valve mechanism 3| employed with the apparatus, and as the clutch is released, the shaft 29 of the power device 26 will move toward the right as,viewed in Figures 1 and 3. As the iinger |26 moves toward the right -from the dotted line position shown in Figure' 3,- it will contact with the lower right hand finger |01 swing the finger |26 downwardly against the tension of its spring |28. Accordingly it will be apparent that the finger |26 escapes over the finger |01 and then returns to normal position, after which the finger |26 continues to move toward the right until it reaches the solid line position shown in Figure 3. At this time the clutch will be fully engaged.

The continued depression of the accelerator pedal after the clutch has become fully engaged, will increase vehicle speed to the desired extent, and as previously stated, the engagement of the snap-over switch |52 with the contact |48 maintains the solenoid 4| energized as long as the gear shift lever is in second gear.v position. Accordinglyth'e releasing oi' the accelerator pedal when the vehicle isin second gear releases` the speed. In other words, under such conditio the power device 26 is controlled wholly by the valves`36 and 31, and the power device 2 6 will be connected to the -intake manifold promptly upon the releasing of the accelerator pedal.`

The releasing of the accelerator thus eifects declutching and the actuation of the power device 26 again reverses the position of the ports of the valve 19 since inward movement of the shaft 29 causes the nger |26 to again engage the next linger |01 to move the valve 19 through a quarter turn. I'he previous actuation of the power device 26^wil1 have moved the: valve 19 ninety degrees from the position shown in Figure 9, and the second actuation o1' this power device moves the valve 19 another ninety degrees, the turning movement of the valve being clockwise as viewedv in Figure 9. Under such conditions the port 9| previously in registration with the port 68, will be mo ed into registration with the port 89. The port 86 previously in engagement with the port 69 will be moved out of registration therewith, and the other atmospheric port 91 willbe moved into registration with the This operation connects the'rear end of the cylinder 52 to the sourcegof vacuum, thus moving ,the gear shift lever 20 to high gear position. For the reasons previously described, the actuation of the gear, shift. lever cannot take place until the clutch has been completely disengaged.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present apparatus provides automatic gear shiftwhich will the use of low and reverse gears by series with the solenoid |2|.

of second or high gear as ing from second to high gear at any vehicle speed whenever the accelerator is released, and that it provides automatic shifting from high to second gear upon the releasing of the accelerator pedal only when the vehicle speed drops to a predetermined point. Thus in the normal operation of the vehicle at speeds above any desired predetermined speed, such as 8 miles per hour, the accelerator pedal may be repeatedly released without affecting the clutch or gear shifting mechanism. When the shift mechanism moves the gear shift lever to second gear position, it remains in such position regardless of whether the vehicle merely slows down or completely stops, unless the ignition switch is turned off, under which conditions the clutch, which has been previously held disengaged, will be engaged. When the engine is subsequently started, declutching normally would move the valve 'i9 through an additional ninety degrees of movement which would cause the gear shift lever to be moved to high gear position. This obviously is undesirable in starting the vehiclel from a standstill. For this reason the switch |12 is provided.

it will be apparent that whenever the vehicle is brought to a stop after traveling in high gear the`gear shift mechanism will remain in second gear position and upon starting the vehicle engine it merely is necessary for the operator to hold the switch |12 in closed position until the engine has been started. The closing of the switch |12 closes a circuit from. the battery |3| through wires |32, |64, |63 and |38, through the solenoid ||2, and thence through wires |39 and |1I, switch |12 and contact |13, and back to the source through grounds |14 and |33. The energization of the solenoid ||2 causes the frame |I'4 to move the two lower fingers |01 out of the path of travelof the iingerA |26 and when the clutch is disengaged upon the starting of the vehicle engine, the valve 'I9 will not be affected. and will remain in second gear position ready for the vehicle to start. As soon as the engine has been started, the switch |12 may be released to restore the normal condition of the iingers |01.

Of course, it is vdesirable to provide means for permitting the operator to move the gear shift lever to low and reverse gear positions. The present apparatus is adapted to operate automatically for shifting between second and high gear positions and includes means for permitting Y' rendering the automatic shifting means inoperative. Referring to Figure 1 it will be apparent thatthe button switch |36 on the gear shift lever is in When it is desired to use the low or reverse gear of the vehicle, the operator initially presses ergize the solenoid A`|2|.'--lin this..connectio n it will be apparent that the gear shift lever is normally arranged toward thesecond and high gear side of thevehicle, being biased in such direction by the spring 49. The'energization of the solenoid |2| moves the valve ||6 upwardly to connect both ends of the cylinder 5| to the atmosphere through pipes ||9 and. |26, and ports'l23 and |24. l

While 'holding the button |36 depressed. the operator is free to move the gear shift lever out the case may be, and then to move the gear shift lever toward the left against the tension of the spring 49, the latter spring being merely of suiilcient tension to bias the gear shift lever in the manner described.

the button |36 to en-` The operation referred to permits the releasing of the button |36 and provides a holding circuit for the solenoid |2I. At the same time the valve mechanism' 59 is rendered inoperative to prevent the clutch from controlling the shifting of the gears. When the contacts 22 and 23 are brought 'into engagement with each other, a circuit is completed from the source |3| through the solenoid |2|, wires |34 and |38, solenoid ||2 and wire |39, and thence across contacts 22. andv 23,

the former being grounded on the gear shift lever 20 to complete the circuit to the source. Thus, as long as the gear shift lever is arranged toward s the left, whether in neutral, low or reverse gear position, a circuit will be maintained in the manner described to hold the valve 6 in inoperative position to prevent the cylinder 52 from being connected to the source of vacuum so that the gear shift lever will remain in either low or reverse gear position when placed in such position.

At the same time, the solenoid ||2 ,will be energized to retract the frame ||4 and thus move the lower ngers |01 out of the path of travel of the nger |26. not turned oif, the vehicle may be stopped with the gear shift lever in second gear position,

whereupon either first or reverse gear, or both, may ybe utilized .without changing the condition of the valvel mechanism 59. Accordingly when 4 ,it is desired to again start the vehicle forwardly in high gear, it 'merely is necessary for the operator to move the gear shift lever to neutral position and then release it. Of course, prior to moving the. gear shift lever out of low or reverse gear, the accelerator will have been released thus effecting declutching in the manner described, and and such declutching will not have affected the position of the valve 19 since the fingers |01 will be held out of the path of travel of the nger |26. 'Ihe releasing of the 'gear shift lever permits it to move toward the right underV the iniiuence of the spring 48, and when the circuit is broken between the contacts 22 and 23, the fingers |01 will be released due tothe deenergization of the solenoid l2. |2| also will be deenergized to drop the valve I I6, and the valve 19 being in the proper position for such purpose, vacuum will be communicated to the .forward end of the cylinder 52 to move the gear shift lever to second gear position.

In the event the gear shift lever should not be in second gear position when it is desired to start the gear shift lever to neutral position and then the vehicle from a standstill, the operator may close the switch |4l, thus closing a circuit through solenoid |2| to render the valve ||6 inoperative, whereupon the operator may move depress and release the accelerator. The closing of the circuit |4| vdoes not energize the s olenoid ||2 and the depression of the accelerator pedal brings the clutch into operative engagement while the releasing of the accelerator again actuates the power device 26 to release the clutch and move the valve 19 one step as is necessary to place the valve mechanism referred to in the proper position to move the gear shift lever` to Thus, if the ignition switch is` At the same time, the solenoid.

second gear position. The releasing lof the, l

switch |4| then drops thevalve ||6, whereupon the forward endof the cylinder 52 will be connected to the source of vacuum to move the gear shift lever into second -gear position.

From the foregoing-it will be apparent that declutching will occur whenever the accelerator -pedal is released with the gear shift lever in second gear position, regardless of engine speed, and that de-clutching will occur in high gear upon the releasing of the accelerator pedal only when the vehicle speed is suiiciently` low to close the circuit between the brush |43 and contact |44. The system also is operative for de-clutching under all conditions'upon the releasing of `the accelerator pedal when the vehicle is in low or reverse gear. Shifting of the rod |58-in either direction, when the vehicle is in low or reverse gear, moves the plunger |60 upwardly to close the circuit between contacts |6| and |62. Under such conditions current flows from the source through Wires |32, |64 and |63, across contacts I6| and |62, through Wres'l65, |50 and |45, and

thence through the solenoid 4| and wire |46, and back to the source through grounds |41 and |33. Thus the solenoid 4I remains energized to hold the valve 40 in open position 'as long as the gear l shift lever is in low or reverse gear positions, and the clutch control power device 26 will be controlled wholly by the .valves 36 and 31 which are' operated'by the accelerator.

The device is also operative for full free wheeling in high gear, regardless of vehicle speed without actuating the gear shifting device. This is accomplished when the vehicle isin high gear by closing the switch |66. The closing of this switch completes a circuit from the source through wires |32, |64, |63 and |38, through the solenoid 2, thence through wires |39 and |68, switchlBS, wires |69, |50 and |45, and thence through the solenoid 4| and wire through grounds |41 and |33. Completion of this circuit holds the solenoid Valve 40 in lopen position to. permit de-clutching at of the accelerator pedal. At the same time, the solenoid I2 will be maintained energized to hold the fingers |01 out of the path of travel of the finger |26, and accordingly the clutch may be each releasing ,|46, and back to the source Y.

repeatedly disengaged by the power device 26 vantages for use in gear shifting and free wheeling and among its other characteristics, it provides a progressive releasing of the clutch vplate pressure upon the progressive releasing of the accelerator pedal so as to permit rapid clutch disengagement when the accelerator is completely released. In this connection, attention is invited to Figure.3 wherein it will be apparent that the nger |26 is adapted to partake of substantial movement before engaging the adjacent nger |01', and the partial actuation of the power device 26 to progressively release the clutch plate pressure is pennitted for actuating the valve mechanism 59. The portion of the movement .of the nger |26 whichtakesplace after this finger contacts with the nearest nger |01 takes place upon the complete releasingof the accelerator pedal at which time gear shiftingis desired under -ing in high gear, etc.

the apparatus, however, is directed toward the the normal conditionof .operation of the device.

From the foregoing it will be. apparent that the present apparatus takes care of numerous conditions of operation of the motor vehicle clutch andgear set such as automatic shifting between second and high gears, manual operation of the gear shift lever for low and reverse gears without affecting the shifting mechanism, free wheel- The primary purpose of provision of means for shifting between second and high gears, and under normal conditions, a vehicle may be driven in such gears a greater proportion of the time. Moreover, it will be apparent that the driver may accelerate the vehicle to any desired speed in second gear, and the gear shift lever will be moved to high gear position promptly uponA the releasing of the accelerator pedal, but after the clutch has been disengaged. It also will be apparent that shifting from high to second gear will not take place in normal conditions when the accelerator is released unless the vehicle speed is dropped to a fairly low point suchas 8 miles per hour, this operation being controlled by the speedometer switch |43.

Where the expression "source of pressure differential" is employed in the following claims, it is understood that this expression denes a source of pressure which is different from that of the atmosphere, either subor super-atmospheric pressure, whereby the connection of the two sides of a differential pressure power device respectively to such source and the atmosphere will effect actuation of the power device.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without .departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

We claim:

l. In a moto'r vehicle including a transmission having a shifting member movable between two positions fox-,transmitting power at different ratios for forward vehicle movement, a power device having a movable member connected to said shifting member, control means for said power device, a power device operative for disengaging vthe vehicle clutch, means operative upon each actuation of said last named power device for causing said control means to effect the actuation of said first named power device to effect movement of said shifting member successively between its two positions, and means operative for preventing actuation of said second named power device when said shifting a member isin a position corresponding lto the higherl speed ratio and the vehicle is traveling above a predetermined speed. K

2. In a motor vehicle including a clutch and a transmission having a shifting member movable between two positions for transmitting power at different ratios for forward vehicle movement, a differential pressure power device having a movable member connected to said shifting member, control valve means connected to said power device to Jdetermine the direction of movement of said movable member, a -differential pressure power device operative for disengaging the -ve. hicle clutch, means operative upon each actuation of said second -named power device for causing said-,eotrol valve means to alternately 1 connect opposite ends of said first named power device to a source of pressure-different from that clutch and a device for causing Y transmission having a movement of. said shting ,member of the atmosphere to eiIect movement of said shifting member alternately between its two positions, and means operative for preventing actuation of said second named power device when said shifting member is in a position corresponding to the higher speed ratio and the vehicle is traveling above a predetermined speed.

3. In a motor vehicle including a clutch and a transmission having a shifting member movable between two positionsfin one plane for transmitting power at dierent ratios for forward vehicle movement and between two positions in a second plane for transmitting power for reverse vehicle movement and for forward vehicle movement at a relatively low speed ratio, means biasingsaid shifting member to said first named plane, a power device having a movable member connected to said shifting member, control means for said power device, a power device operative for disengaging the vehicle clutch, means operative upon each actuation of said second named power device for causing said control means to actuate said first named power device to effect movement of said shifting member successively between its'two positions in said first named plane, means for rendering said iirst named i power device inoperative to release said shifting member for manual movement in said second named plane, and means for preventing actuation of said second named power device when the vehicle is traveling above-a predetermined speed and said shifting 'member is in the position 'in said first named plane corresponding to the higher speed ratio.

4. In a motor vehicle including a clutch and a transmission having a shifting member movable between two positions in one piane for transmitting power at dierent ratios for forward vehicle movement and between two positions in a second plane for transmitting power for reverse vehicle movement and for forward vehicle movement at a relatively low speed ratio, means biasing said shifting member to said rst named plane, a diiferential ,pressure power device having a reciprocating member connected to said shifting member, control valve means for said power device, a diierential pressure power device operative for disengaging the vehicle clutch, means operative upon each actuation of said second named power said control valve means to alternately connect opposite ends of said first named power device to a source of pressure different from that of the atmosphere to effect movement of said shifting member successively between the two positions in said rst named plane, means for rendering said first named power device inoperative, to release said shifting member for man-- ual movement in said second named plane, and means for preventing actuation of said second named power device when the vehicle is traveling above a predetermined speed and said shifting member is in the position in said rst named plane corresponding to the higher speed ratio.

. 5. In a motor .vehicle including a clutch and a l shifting member movable between two positions for transmitting power at different ratios forJ forward vehicle movement, a power device having a movable member connected to said shifting member, control means for said power device, a power device operative for disengaging the vehicle clutch, means operative upon each actuation of for causing said control means to effect the actuation of said first named power device to effect successively said ylast named power device v between the two positions in said iirst namedv between its two positions, and manually controllable means operative when said shifting member is in the position corresponding to the higher speed ratio for preventing operation of said control means upon actuation of the second' named power device.

6. In a motor vehicle including a clutch land a transmission having a shifting member movable between two positions for transmitting power at different ratios for forward vehicle movement, la diierential pressure power device having a movable member connected to said shifting member, control valve means connected to'said power device to determine the direction of movement of said movable member, a differential pressure power device operative for disengaging the vehicle clutch, means operative upon each actuation of said second named power device for causing said control valve means to alternately connect opposite ends of said first named power device to a source of pressure different from that of the atmosphere to eiTect movement of said shifting member alternately between its two positions, and manually controllable means operative when said shifting member is in a position corresponding to the higher speed ratio for preventing operation of said control valve means upon actuation of said second named power device.

7. In a motor vehicle including a clutch and a transmission having a shifting member movable between two positions in one plane for transmitting power at different ratios for forward vehicle movement and between two positions in a second plane for transmitting power for reverse vehicle movement and for forward vehicle movement ata relatively low speed ratio, means biasing saidi shifting member to said iirst named plane, a power device having a movable member connected to said shifting-"member,A control means for said power device, a power device operative for disengaging the vehicle clutch, means operative upon cach actuation of said second named power device for causing said control means to effect the actuation oi said first named-power device to effect movement of said shifting member successively between its two positions in said rst named plane,-

means for rendering said rst named power device inoperative, to release said sluiting. member for manual movement in said second named plane, and manually controllable means operative when said shifting-member is in the position in said means to alternately connect opposite ends of said .rst named plane corresponding to the higher speed ratio for preventing operation of said con'- trol means upon actuation of said second named power device.

8. In a motor vehicle including a clutch and a transmission having va shifting member movable between two positions in one plane for transmitting power at diiierent ratios for forward vehicle movement and between two positions ina second plane for transmitting power for reverse vehicle movement-and for forward vehicle movement at a relatively low speed ratio, means biasing said shifting memberto said rst named plane, a diiferential pressure power device having a reciprocating member connected to said shifting memben-control valve means for said power device, a differential pressure power device operative for disengaging the vehicleclutch, means operative upon each actuation of said second named power device for causing said control valve rst named power device to a source of pressure different from that of the atmosphere to eiIect movement of said shifting member successively plane, means for rendering said rst named power device inoperative, to release said shifting member for manual movement in said second named plane, and manually controllable means operative when saidshifting member isin the positionin said rst named plane corresponding to the higher speed ratio for preventing operation of said control valve means upon actuation of said second named power device.

9. In a motor vehicle including a clutch and a' transmission having a shifting member movable between two positions for transmitting movement, a power device having a movable member connected to said shifting member, control means for said power device, a power device operative for disengaging the vehicle clutch, means operative upon each actuation of said last named power device for causing said control' power at diiferent ratios for forward vehicle means to effect the actuation of said iirst named power deviceto effect movement of said shifting member successively between its two positions, manually controllable means operative when said shifting member is in the position corresponding to the higher speed ratio for preventing operationof sfaid control means upon actuation of the second named power deviceg'and means for rendering said first named power device inoperative to thereby release said shifting member for manual movement in said second named plane.

10 ..In.a,motor vehicle including a clutch and a transmission having a shifting member movable between two positions for transmitting power at diiferent ratios for forward vehicle ymovement, a differential pressurepower device having a movable member connected to said shifting member, control valve means connected 4to said power device to determine the direction of movement of said movablemember, a differential pressure power device operative for disengaging the vehicle clutch, means operative upon .each actuation of said second named power device for causing said control valve means to alternately connect opposite ends .of said iirst named power device to asource of pressure dif- -'ferent from that of the atmosphere to eifect movement of said shifting member-alternately between its two positions, manuallycontrollable means operative when said shifting member is in a position corresponding to the higher speed ratio for preventing operation of said control valve means upon actuation of said second named power device, and a valve movable to a position connecting both en ds of said irst named power device to the atmosphere to thereby Arelease said shifting member for manual movement'in said,

second named plane.

11. In a motor vehicle including a clutch and a transmission having a. shifting member movable between two positions in one planefor transmitting power at diierent ratios for forward vehicle movement and between two posi- ...Y

tions in a second plane for transmitting power for reverse vehicle movement and for forward vehicle movement at a relatively low speed ratioh means biasing said shifting member to said rst named plane, adi'erential pressure power device having a reciprocating member connected to said shifting member, control valve means for said'power device', a differential pressure power device operative for disengaging the vehicle clutch, means operative upon each actuation of.

said second named pjower. device for causing said control valve means to alternately connect oppo.j

atmosphere to effect movement of said shiftingmember successively betweenthe two positions in said iirst named plane, means for renderingv said irst named power device inoperative, to release said shifting member for manual movement in said second named plane, and means for rendering actuation of said second named power device ineffective for operating said control valve means.

12. In a motor vehicle including a clutch and a transmission having a shifting member movable between two positions in one plane for transmitting power at different ratios for forward vehicle movement and between two positions in a second plane for transmitting power for reverse vehicle movement and for forward vehicle movement at a. relatively low speed ratio, means biasing said shifting member to said first named plane, a differential pressure power device having a reciprocating member connected to said shifting member, control valve means for said power device, a differential pressure power device operative for disengaging the vehicle clutch, means operative upon each actuation of said second named power device for causing said control valve means to alternately connect opposite ends of said irst named power device to a source of pressure dierent from that of the atmosphere to eiect movement of said vshifting member successively between the two positions in said iirst named plane, a valve movable to a position connecting both ends of said 'iirst named power device to the atmosphere to release said shifting member for manual movement in said second named plane, and means for rendering actuation of said second named power device ineffective for operating said control valve means. 

